Free open-source Video2X replaces $299/year Topaz Video AI for local upscaling
aigleeson · x · 2026-09-03
The author canceled their $299/year Topaz Video AI subscription after switching to Video2X, a free open-source tool that started as a 2018 hackathon project.
What it does:
- Sharpens blurry, low-res video with real AI models
- Ships dedicated anime models so line art stays crisp
- Converts old choppy footage to smooth 60fps
- Runs fully locally; a free Google Colab notebook lets you borrow a strong GPU if yours is weak
Takeaway: a weekend hackathon project quietly became a better deal than a $299/year commercial product.
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